[Pantothenate metabolism in the rat liver and its regulation]

Pantothenate, penetrating the liver tissue after intraperitoneal administration into young rats at a dose 100 mumole/kg was metabolized to unidentified substances within 15-30 min without accumulation of 4-phosphopantothenate. Within subsequent 2-4 hrs period pantothenate, 4-phosphopantothenate, CoA and considerably higher amounts of the unidentified metabolites (apparently symmetric and mixed (disulphides) were simultaneously accumulated in liver tissue; the latter substances determined the subsequent prolonged and essential elevation in content of CoA in the liver tissue. The phase dynamics of accumulation in liver tissue of the administered pantothenate is due to its recirculation from intestine and to alteration in the activity of pantothenate metabolizing enzymes, particularly those, which catalyze the reactions of thiodisulphide metabolism.